SA coach Walter wary of wounded England

KARACHI:

South Africa coach Rob Walter said his team will be wary of an under-performing England who have the ability to beat anyone on their day when they meet in a key Champions Trophy match on Saturday.

The sides face off in Karachi with South Africa still in contention to reach the semi-finals of the 50-over tournament, while England are already out.

A win will take the Proteas to the last four but defeat would leave them relying on the results of other teams and net run-rate.

South Africa hammered Afghanistan in their opener but their second match against Australia was washed out without a ball being bowled.

They now take on a wounded England whose captain Jos Buttler is under pressure to relinquish the leadership of the white-ball team.

"League cricket around the world, they do well, which should suggest that they're adaptable," Walter told reporters. "If you look at the names on the sheet, I think there's some quality players there, there's no doubt about that.

"Cricket can be fickle and sometimes that results in you losing.

"To ask if I'm surprised (by England's performance), as I said I think there's good cricketers that could turn out tomorrow and deliver an international standard performance," he added.

Buttler has been unable to replicate England's success as ODI and T20 captain since he led them to a T20 World Cup title in 2022.

England won only three of their nine matches as defending champions at the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023.

They faltered in the semi-final of last year's T20 World Cup and recently suffered a 3-0 ODI whitewash in India before the Champions Trophy.

Pressed further on what needs to be done to stem England's rot, Walter said: "What I've learnt in times, you can never judge what's happening with a team unless you're actually walking in the shoes of the people that are on the ground with the team."

"I think there's good people there who have done good things in cricket, working with good players, and I would suggest it's only a matter of time before they find success."

Walter said Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen is set to return to the team after missing the opener due to an elbow injury.

"He's a super player, isn't he?," said Walter. "And I think that you probably notice his strength also based on who the guys are around him that allow him to play that way."

Van der Dussen weighs in on India's advantage in Dubai

South African top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen has shared his thoughts on India playing all their matches at the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 at one venue in Dubai, calling it an advantage.

Van der Dussen agreed with these views, adding that the opportunity to train and play at the same venue without having to travel between cities or countries gives India an edge.

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that the ability to train and play in one place, coupled with the absence of any inter-city or inter-country travel, gives India an edge that they will be under pressure to fully exploit," he said.

The 36-year-old South African batter also noted the benefit of being familiar with the same stadium and pitches throughout the tournament. "If you can stay in one place, stay in one hotel, practice in the same facilities, play in the same stadium, on the same pitches every time, it's definitely an advantage," he said.

However, van der Dussen pointed out that this advantage could also put pressure on India. He explained that while India will be accustomed to the conditions, teams playing against them in the semi-finals or finals might find the conditions unfamiliar. afp